With the second international break of the 2019 / 2020 season set to disrupt the Premier League action, the displeasure I normally express has been tempered by the news that another two of Chelsea’s young squad have been called up by Gareth Southgate.
With Ross Barkley and Mason Mount now almost regulars in Southgate squads, they have now been joined by the Chelsea duo of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori.
For both, it is just reward to a fine start to the season with Frank Lampard giving youth a chance with Chelsea the victims of a FIFA imposed transfer ban.
The call-up gives both the opportunity to impress at international level and both, with Euro 2020 qualifying games against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria on the horizon, have the chance to confirm that, as far as the international scene is confirmed, they are committed to England.
Abraham has, previously, been linked with Nigeria whilst Tomori has played for Canada at U20 level.
Aware that both players have the options to play for other countries, Gareth Southgate has, as reported by The BBC, remarked about the situation:
“It’s not ethically right to give someone a cap just so they can’t play for someone else.
“He (Tammy) and Fikayo Tomori are both in on merit and have been part of our junior system right the way through, so we see them as English players’ and they have a huge desire to play for England at senior level.”
Which is great to hear.
Continuing, Southgate had this to say about the inclusion of Tammy Abraham, commenting:
“It was a fairly easy decision to pick him as he’s the leading English goalscorer in the league.”
And on his earlier appearances for England in non-competitive games, Southgate further added:
“We put him into the squad very young, when we were changing the complexion of what we were doing.
“That was a bit early for him but because of the opportunity given to him by Frank Lampard at Chelsea, we’ve brought him back in.
“This is now a great chance for Tammy.”
Hopefully, with England very well placed in their qualifying group with maximum points both of these Chelsea youngsters will, at some time during the two games, be given a chance to shine.
Meanwhile, here at Vital Chelsea, we’d like to congratulate the quarter of Barkley, Mount, Abraham and Tomori for their inclusion in the squad.
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